By Jude Opara
The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu has described President Bola Tinubu as one of the most renowned and accomplished democrats the country ever produced.
Bagudu, who spoke on Monday at the Progressive Governors Forum–Renewed Hope Ambassadors Interactive Session with the Diplomatic Community in Abuja said the President is also a firm believer federalism.
He added that due to the policies of the government which he said have eased the economic hardship in the country, and equally resulted in many governors from the opposition parties to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“Our Constitution is very clear about our democratic form of governance, and Mr President is one of the most renowned democrats in the country. Not only has he fought for democracy, but he has consistently promoted it.
“In 2022, he emerged as the presidential candidate of our party through fiercely contested primaries involving several aspirants.
“Since he was sworn in as President, we have seen different elections won by both the ruling party and opposition parties”.
Bagudu while welcoming the diplomats said Nigeria values the long standing support and partnership of the international community, adding that the country will continue to cherish such partnership.
“Consistent with the mandate of our ministry, we appreciate the ongoing collaboration in areas such as humanitarian support, peacebuilding, democracy and rule of law, governance, education, healthcare, agriculture, renewable energy, climate action, and institutional capacity.
“In our match towards a $1 trillion economy, opportunities for collaboration at the state level — especially in sustainable infrastructure financing, investment promotion, skills development, innovative ecosystems, climate-smart agriculture, security cooperation, data-driven planning and monitoring, as well as legal migration — all exist.
“In line with its mandate, the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning is appreciative of the contributions of the diplomatic community to the achievements recorded in the last three years, while also encouraging stronger engagement between development partners and Nigerian states.
“Ours is a federation, and our mandate makes us representatives of both the federal government and the states, ensuring that interventions are better tailored to local realities and development priorities”.
The Minister explained that as a party that believes in the tenets of democracy, the APC campaigned and won election based on the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration.
“Your Excellencies may recall that this administration campaigned and won the 2023 election on the Renewed Hope Agenda, which is a clarion call to mobilise all Nigerians around a transformative agenda rooted in our Constitution and reflective of both our realities and aspirations.
“We are a constitutional federation, a constitutional democracy, a constitutional market economy, and a constitutional rule-based country”.
“The agenda drew attention to the reality that we were not where we ought to be, and that blame games do not deliver results. Thus, the need for bold, courageous, tough but necessary choices to shepherd the economy in the right direction, all rooted in our Constitution”, he concluded.
